A Woman who went to Alaska

ll as the banks and sand-bars of the river, were spread with a thin covering of snow; enough at least to give a wintry aspect. T

red log houses, as well as an old Episcopal Mission, in which Mrs. Bumpus had lived and taught the natives

on was established by the Hudson Bay Company many years ago, all supplies coming in and

as built on the high river bank among the trees, quite near the steamer's landing. On the roof of the hut, there lay, stretched on s

TEAMER

Yukon stove which was placed in the corner of the room. Next to this was a rude table, on which

ns on the floor sat an old Eskimo woman, wrinkled and brown. These were her children and grandchildren, and she

utensils and playthings. A box or tin can, which h

atmosphere of the hut was peculiar, and not altogether agreeable to our southern ol

, and under our feet was spread a carpet of brown and yellow

Uncle Sam's boys, and where we trudged out throu

e mouth of the Big Minook Creek constitutes the town. Here empty the Little Minook, Alder, Hunter, and many oth

g. We managed here to climb the slippery steps of the log store building i

ooth that the hills, peaks, trees and islands wer

c lights were turned on through the steamer, fresh coal again piled on

ables filled with ripe grasses and pretty autumn leaves, but, strange to relate, we were more interested in the contents of our soup plates a

beans. Side dishes consisted of pickles, olives, cheese, sardines, canned fruits, fancy crackers or biscuits, and afterward came pudding and pie. These last were ma

ly dressed in black silk or satin, and her white fingers were loaded with costly rings. As she handed a dish to the man beside her, her diamonds and other gems sparkled brightly. Her companion, much older, had a ha

eks. He represented mining interests in the Klondyke amounting to millions, and was on his way to Londo

blonde, with infantile complexion, small hands and feet, and wearing a tailor-made suit attracted considerable attention. She

t of dude toggery, but having a squaw wife and three chi

three times at each meal, as seve

Do you see that short, fat woman over there with the bleared eyes, and the neck

hair-breadth escapes from the jaws of an Arctic winter, or from shipwreck. One told of having, two years before, paid $175 for five sacks of flour in the Klondyke; selling the same, a few days later, for $500. Stories of rich strikes were related; how one

W TRA

y, with sleds and provisions, eight dogs and four men, she started. It was a journey of about eight hundred miles. Before leaving Rampart she experimented with fur sleeping bags, and finally made one in which she could sleep comfortably on the ice and snow. Rice and tea were their staple articles of diet, being more quickly prepared in hasty camps at night, and being found most nourishing. After a perilous trip

l day, dreading a hard freeze which was liable to settle down upon us at any time, fixing our boat and us in the ice indefinitely. But we were now in the Aphoon, or eastern mouth of the Yukon, and near enough

iver during the night. Snow was falling heavily through which we saw the lights of the harbor, and a number of

eats at table; for we were still in their care, having bought through tickets to San Francisco. Here we were to wait for the ocean steamer "Bertha," which wa

h a good view of incoming ships from the north. Just across the street stood an old block house or fort containing the funny little cannon used by th

headquarters of a third company. These three were small settlements by themselves, and constituted, with their employees, natives and dogs, the

s to his sorrow if he attempts to leave the plank walks. St. Michael Bay, lying between the island and the mainland on the east, is a fine body of water. The

much care, a heavy beaver cape, and dress of walking length, I was completely demoralized in appearance five minutes later on reaching the mess-house. With a twisting motion which was so sudden as to totally surprise me, my dress was wound around my feet, my cape was flung as if by spiteful hands entirely over my head, causing me t

wn to the beach daily to fish, standing on the wet and slippery rocks, regardless of wind, spray or snow. Here they flung their fish lines out into the water and hauled the little fish up dexterously; when,